Adventure, November 1915 — page 155: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

Unofficial be equally simple? He could have shot himself, and as he fell dropped the pistol overboard.” Mr. Kling’s importance of manner sub- sided like a popped bag; and he sank into a crestfallen silence. The Captain took a hand at questioning the crowd; but he elicited no relevant information. — Pres- ently he said: “That will be all sariehs ladies and gen- tlemen. The purser has a list of your names. If we want any further testimony he will let you know.” The crowd filed out, obviously relieved and yet half disappointed at so tame a con- clusion to their excitement. I got a signal from the Captain and remained behind. este01 AS THE door closed, he rose from — @ his chair and paced the floor two or === three times, evidently trying to determine what line to take with me. At length he returned to his chair, and in a grave tone said: “You must appreciate, Mr. Crossly, that you are under heavy suspicion. By your own statement the man must have been shot in the time you were going from the deck to your cabin. And I can not escape the feeling that you know more about the case than you have told. Of course, the suicide theory is only bunk.” “And yet,” I answered, “I have been thinking it over and on the whole I believe it will be the best one to adopt.” ~~ His face changed and his manner sud- denly became sterner. “IT know you, Mr. Crossly. You have sat at my table and our relations have been cordial. I do not believe you shot Mr. Kozu, although I think you know some- thing ‘about the matter. But if there should develop sufficient evidence against you, sir, I tell you frankly, I shall have you placed in close confinement until you can be de- livered up to the proper authorities for ~ trial. It may be an unpleasant duty, but I shall perform it.” “Well,” I said, “you won’t be called on to do it, ‘because I did not shoot him, and I believe you haye all the evidence against me you are going to get. But I think you may look for some surprising developments. - Indeed, I think you are going to find before long that connection with Markham’s death which has been troubling you.” He stiffened with surprise. “ - on™ » Se ee a ae le Bs Ps 2 ‘se Saat: ; “What do you mean?” he cried. It was as I had thought: Markham’s death more than Kozu’s had been at the back of the Captain’s perplexity. « “Tell me,” I asked suddenly, ‘‘did you have any reason to be particularly inter- ested in Markham?” For a moment he studied me from be- neath his bushy eyebrows, started to speak, ons a caught himself, and then with a sudden resolution said bruskly: “Yes, I did.. Biddle, our General Mana- | ger, instructed me before we sailed to pay particular attention, without appearing to do so, to Mr. Markham and—and—well, some others. Naturally his death has troubled me.” “Yes,” I said. ‘Because in spite of ap- pearances ‘you suspect foul play. These men appear to be simple, undistinguished passengers; you immediately conclude they. are traveling in disguise, and. because of Biddle’s interest that they are on an impor-_ tant and perhaps dangerous mission. One is found dead in his berth. To the world it appears from natural causes, but knowing what you do, you do not believe it; you feel that somehow you have been derelict in your duty of protecting him. You are troubled, when along comes this new de- velopment to confirm your suspicions and add to your mystification.”’ . He sat staring at mie with concentrated attention. - “You are right, Mr. Crossly. I did feel as you have described about Markham. There is something going on about me. I -feel it, but I can’t put my finger onit. How in the devil did Biddle expect me to pro- tect these men without taking me more fully into his confidence than he did!” Sud- denly he banged the table with his fist. “Just give me a clue to things. I see you know something. I’ll show them who is boss of this ship!” His small, brown eyes were burning like coals, and his red cheeks, shot through just below the surface with tiny, blue veins, seemed literally aflame. “What I know is only surmise,” I said, “but I promise you that if by tomorrow you haven’t gotten at the bottom of things, I shall tell you whom I suspect.’ He whirled in his chair, without replying, His glance fell on the package. With a bull-like movement, he tore off its wrap- pings, and then sat gazing sheepishly at the EORMICOO© (G <S (E(@) gs nS ae — we ets os cru _— oe a rs ee vw Pt Joe iy ? i adad F